Multiple jet sprinkler



P 1941- w. VAN E. THOMPSON ,2 ,7

MULTIPLE JET SPRINKLER Filed 0013. 18, 1957 I a2 5 x x I We 3 26 I 22Patented Sept. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIPLE JETSPRINKLER Walter Van E. Thompson, Los Angeles, Caliii, as-

signor to Thompson Manufacturing Company, Los Angeles, Calif., acorporation of California Application October 18, 1937, Serial No.169,686

4 Claims.

My invention relates to the art of irrigation and particularly to asprinkler head having certain unique features, advantages, andstructural improvements over the prior art.

My invention relates to the types of sprinklers adapted for throwingwater over areas to be irrigated, and relates in particular to, but isnot limited to, devices adapted to throw a plurality of individualstreams.

It is an object of my invention to provide a sprinkler head in which aneven distribution of water is obtained.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a sprinkler head inwhich a maximum distance of throw of the water may be obtained.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a sprinkler headin which the amount of water flowing therethrough may be readilyregulated from the exterior and without the necessity of removing thesprinkler head.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a sprinkler headhaving a chamber in which the water is introduced in a substantiallyeven and quiet distribution and in which the water is taken from thechamber with a minimum of agitation or turbulence.

Another object of my invention is to provide a sprinkler head in whichthe water before it enters the chamber is, reduced in pressure andcaused to flow laterally, and is directed into the a chamber at aplurality of spaced points.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a sprinkler headof this character having straining means which prevents cloggingparticles from entering the sprinkler, and in which the straining meansmay be readily removed and cleaned.

In the following detailed description of my invention I will illustratea form of my invention which has proven to be highly successful inactual use. I recognize, however, that various alterations andmodifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of my invention. invention to be broadly construed and theappended claims to be construed to cover all mechanical equivalents ofmy invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a sprinkler head incorporatingthe features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of Fi 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-4 of Fi 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

I therefore wish my Fig. 5 is a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 1but showing the adjusting means in another position.

Referring to the drawingin detail, and particularly Fig. 1, the numeralll represents a body which, in accordance with standard practice, isexternally threaded at l2 in order that the head may be screwed into asuitable supply means, such, for example, as the nipple 14. The body llprovides a cavity 15 which is open at its lower end as shown. Thecavity, however, is provided with a lower end wall or end plate l6which, as shown, may be threadedly secured in place. If desired, theplate It need not have threads and may be held in place along with astrainer ll by means of a nut 18. The plate lfi has a central inlet portl9 through which water may enter the cavity I5.

It will be noted that the lower part of the cavity I5 is enlarged so asto provide 'a shoulder 2|. Positioned in the lower part of the cavity l5below the shoulder 2| is a flow regulating means in the form of a flowregulating plate 22. This flow regulating plate 22 extends in a planeparallel to the end plate It and divides the cavity l5 into a chamber orquieting chamber 24 and an intermediate passage 25. Formed in theperipheral part of the plate 22 are peripheral openings or communicatingopenings 26 which connect the chamber 24 and the intermediate passage25.

Formed in the upper part of the body H are a series of spray openings orspray nozzles 21 which constitute a spray forming means of my invention.It should be understood that my invention is not limited to thisparticular type of spray forming means nor to a plurality of sprayforming means.

For the purpose of adjusting the position of the flow regulating plate22 I provide a regulating means in the form of a screw 30 which isthreadedly received in a threaded opening 3| formed in the upper part ofthe body H, and which has a lower downwardly projecting portion 32 whichengages an upper surface of the plate 22 as shown. By screwing theadjusting screw 30 downwardly the plate 22 may be moved into a suitableposition, such, 'for example, as

shown in Fig. 5, wherein the plate 22 has been moved downwardly towardthe plate I6 a substantial distance.

In the use of my invention the plate 22 serves as a means for formingthe cavity l5 into the chamber 24 and the intermediate passage 25. Itfurthermore provides a valve means, since passage 25.

as this plate 22 is moved downwardly toward the plate I6, a valvularaction is obtained, as

will be readily obvious from an inspection of Fig. 5. As is shown inFigsJl and 3, the water flows upwardly through the nipple l4, asindicated by arrows 30, passes through the strainer fl! at which allclogging particles are arrested in movement, and then flows through thecentral inlet port l9. At this time the'water may be reduced in pressureand it is caused to flow large, the water flows into the chamber 24-at aireducedvelccity and in a-very quiet I condition. :This-tmethodofintroduction'of the water, that is, introducing it underreduced'velocity and Lat-distributed points,rproduces a very quiescentcondition in'the chamber 24. The waterflows upwardly ,through'thechamber 24- and then passes. outwardly, throughythe spray ,openings 52?and, inthis form. of my invention, produces fourstreams of water which.are directed outwardly, over the area desired to be irrigated.

:IahaLve foundsby using: the principle'incorpo- 7 rated in my inventionthat Iv am able to obtain an even distribution of water and a maximumdistance of throw. I furthermore have found that the particles formedwhen the water is re-.

leased are. of such a size thatwind interference is at a minimum. I 1,As. statedhe'retofore, I have shown and described but a single form of.my. invention. I.

do not wish .to be limited .to the detailsl of construcfion disclosedtherein; since various changes may be made For example, the sprayopenings 2.! maybe changed in position.- shape, or design. Instead ofthrowing a plurality of streams of cylindrical cross-section; thespray'openings' 1 21 may be changed in shape to throw or formfiani-shaped streamsp Likewise, theflpartieular method of supporting theplates 16 and 22 may be changed, if desired; and mstead of adjusting theplate :22toward theizplate IS the plate22 maybe fixed, and'the plate {6may be moved relative to the plate .22.. One feature of the inventionislthe use of the strainer means at the position illustrated so that thesprinkler will not be clogged. One advantage of threadedly securing theplate 18 in place is. that. when the strainer l1 and nut H! are removedthe plate l6 remains in place and-thus holds the plate '22 in itscavity. When the water pressure isshutoff the plate 22 may-drop'tothelower part of thecavity, but: when the .water is turned on thepressure immediately returns it, into; engagement with the adjustingscrew ,3l. 7

I claim as my invention: v

1. In a. sprinkler head, the combination of a body providing a cavityand spray forming means connected to said cavity; an end plate for saidcavity providing an inlet port means; a flow regulating plate slidablydisposed in said cavity and movable toward and from said end plate, saidflow regulating plate having spaced peripheral projections in engagementwith the side wall of said body whereby openings are provided. betweenthe peripheral portion of said regulating plate and said side wall;means in said cavity forming a stop to limit the distance said flowregulating plate may be moved away from said end plate; and an adjustingmember operable from the exterior of said body for moving said flowregulating plate.

2. In a sprinkler head, the combination of: a body providing a cavityand spray forming meansconnected to said cavity, said body providingshoulder meansinsaid cavity; an end plate for said cavity providing aninlet port means, said, end plate being spaced from said shoulder means;aflow regulating plate insaid cavity betweenisaid shoulder means andsaid end plateand movable toward and from said secured at the lower endof said, cavity below end plate, said flow: regulating plate having,spaced peripheral projections in engagement with the side wall of saidbody whereby openings are provided between the peripheral portionof saidregulating plate and said side wall; and

an adjusting member threaded through thewall of said body and beingoperable from the exterior of said body for moving said flow regu latingplate. 7

3. In a sprinkler, the combination of; a body providing a cavity whichis open at. the lower end thereof and whichis enlarged at its lower end.toprovide a shoulder, said body also providing spray forming meansthrough which liquid may flow from said cavity; an end plate saidshoulder, said end'plate having. an inlet 1 port; a. flow regulatingplate insertable into said cavity before said .end plate is secured inplace, said flow regulating plate being movably supported :between saidshoulder and said end 1 plate and having opening. means therein; and

a an adjusting screw operablyysupported by the upper end wall; of saidbodydormoving said flow regulating platerelativetosaid end lplate.

to form, a hollow. body'h'avinga frontwall with spray forming meansthereinand arear wall having inlet port means therein; a flow regu- 4.In a sprinklen'head:ofthefclass described, the. combination of: wallmembers cooperating lating plate slidable in said hollow body toward ROther features and advantages of invention have been included: in I thedetails; of de scription and need not bexrepeated.

and awayfrom said inlet port means; means of engagement between saidhollow body and said plate forming a stop'tolimit the movement of saidplate in a direction away from saidiinlet port means andto a positionspaced from said front wallof said hollow body; and.,-adjustingscrewameanscarried by the forward portion of said hollow-body and havinga part exposed to the exterior for operation and a part extending, intothe interior of said hollow body for moving said flow regulating plate.

. V 1 WALEIEBJIVAN

